March 4, 2021
Keep scrolling for info on:
  • Swim Test
  • Team Photo
  • Practice Updates
  • Carpool Info
  • Open House
  • How to Join the REMIND text group.
  • PLUS - a recruiting opportunity for Temple for Junior and Senior Girls!
SWIM TEST THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 5 at 8pm
All rowers who have not previously completed the swim test with GV Crew will need to do a swim test. Our first testing opportunity is scheduled for this Friday at 8pm. Please make every effort to make this date. We will likely schedule a second test based on any late registrations after Open House this weekend, but it's better to get it done as soon as possible.

The swim test will take place at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn.

Please meet outside the
main entrance at 7:45pm.

What is the swim test? Rowers will need to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 meters) and tread water for 5 minutes wearing sweats.
Pro-tip: wear a regular sweatshirt, not a hoodie.

This season, we will test in smaller groups to allow for more distancing.
TEAM PHOTO SCHEDULED FOR MON. MARCH 8
We will be taking a team photo on Monday, March 8 so please try to make that practice! Wear GV gear, royal blue, or grey if you can so we can look more uniform.
THIS IS HOW WE ROW!

Practice Update
Most of the boats are rigged and we are ready to row, just in time for the warmer weather!

Forecast:
Friday, March 5 - Sunny and 39 degrees

Saturday, March 6 - OPEN HOUSE for interested rowers! Sunny and 37 degrees

Monday, March 8 - Partly sunny and 46 degrees

Wednesday, March 10 - Sunny and 63 degrees!
CARPOOL INFO
GV Crew staff is NOT arranging carpools for you. We are providing this list to make it easier for you to contact others to pair up and form your own carpool. If you have trouble finding a carpool, please email me (Robin) at gvcrewm@gmail.com and I can put out a remind and help if needed.

Use THIS LINK to get to the EDITABLE Google Spreadsheet.
Read and follow the directions carefully.

*This list was created using the information provided by GVCO from current registrations as of Wednesday, 2/17. If you don't see your name on the list and you'd like to participate, I can add you (just let me know) or you can add yourself to the spreadsheet in the extra blank areas.
GV CREW OPEN HOUSE
Do you know someone who is curious about crew? Invite them to attend the GV Crew Open House
on Saturday, March 6 to get a feel for this unique sport.

New Rowers who attend the open house can register by March 8.

Click HERE to register to attend the open house.
TEMPLE Recruitment for JR/SR GIRLS

JULIA RORER
ASSISTANT WOMEN'S ROWING COACH - 
RECRUITING COORDINATOR
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
O: 215.204.8938 | C: 215.704.4397

On Saturday March 20th 12-2:30pm EST we will be hosting a Virtual Junior Day! This is going to be a great opportunity for you to learn even more about what we are about here at Temple, get to know the staff, and the coaches. The attached invitation has the schedule that we will be following that day but you'll get the chance to hear from various members of our staff and ask questions. At the end of the day we will wrap up with some breakout rooms so you can spend some time with a coach and ask any questions that you may have.  
We look forward to you joining us for a couple hours on the 20th and hope that you will share this with the Junior and Unsigned Senior Women on your team! 
If you have any questions please feel free to let me know. 
Best wishes, 
Julia 
Prospective Athlete Questionnaire
GV Crew Info Meeting
If you missed our ZOOM Meeting on Wednesday, February 3 for our Spring Season Information Session, you can view the slideshow here:

Get Text Updates with REMIND
REMIND is the #1 way to stay on top of what is going on
in GV Crew.

Besides reminders for certain events, this texting service is used by the coaches to give updates if a practice needs to be changed or cancelled on short notice.

Join the GV Crew REMIND group for Crew updates
& reminders via TEXT

To join, send @hfdbb to the number 81010
Spring Registration
Registration for the GV Crew Spring Season is now open.
Please register by February 15, 2021.

Fees
8th Grade Rowers - $550
9-12th Grade Rowers - $975


Other important dates:
Zoom Information Meeting - Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm
First Practice - Wednesday, February 17
OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, March 6 10am-1pm
Tentative Last Practice - May 17



Practices are MWF 3:45-6:15 and Saturdays 10:00-1:00

Practices are held at John S. Trinsey Jr. Boathouse
(Upper Merion Boathouse) in Bridgeport, PA.

  • There is no experience necessary for you to row with us!
  • Boys & Girls Grades 8-12. Note: 8th graders can train and practice, but are not eligible to compete in the regattas.
  • There is NO TRANSPORTATION provided to practices or to regattas in Philly, NJ and DEL. There is a voluntary and optional parent-led carpool for those that want to participate.
  • PLEASE NOTE:  This is a competitive rowing team, we need your full commitment to all practices and regattas. We need the whole team at every practice to ensure we can get on the water ever day the weather conditions allow.
  • Registration fees cover many costs including boathouse rental, boat purchases and maintenance, insurance, and coaches salaries. We strive to fundraise and keep our fees low. We are proud to say that our fees remain lower than other comparable programs.

Regatta Calendar
All Regatta dates are tentative at this point due to Covid guidelines.
GV Crew will still train competitively and prepare for regattas and will also actively pursue other outlets for competition.

Philadelphia - Schuylkill River
Manny Flick #1 - March 28, 2021
Manny Flick #2 - April 11, 2021
Manny Flick #3 - April 18, 2021
Manny Flick #4 - April 25, 2021
City Champs - May 1-2, 2021
Stotesbury Cup - May 14-15, 2021

Camden, NJ - Cooper River
Nationals - May 28-29, 2021
Volunteers
As you may know, we need "all hands on deck" to keep GV Crew "afloat".

All puns aside, please consider where you may be able to help. Below is a list of volunteers. Though the bigger roles are filled (Yay!), we will still need all families to contribute from time to time.

Program Director: JOHN BREWER - gvcrewpd@gmail.com
The program director works closely with the coaches and the GV Crew Board of Directors to see that everything runs smoothly for GV Crew.

Marketing/Communications: ROBIN BREWER - gvcrewm@gmail.com
Sends newsletters, emails, and oversees social media and REMIND text messages.

Treasurer/Uniforms/Spirit wear: LINDA McCARTHY - mcpip516@gmail.com
Keeps track of income and expenses and reports back to program director and GVCO. Also orders/sells uniforms and spirit wear. Thank you to previous treasurer, Pat McDonald!

Hospitality: YI-MING CHIU - chiuym@yahoo.com
Coordinates refreshments and hospitality tent for regattas. Also, help plan other team events like start-of-season/end-of-season picnics. You will receive plenty of support from our amazing previous hospitality chairs, Allen and Laura Brinton.

Carpool: ALLYSON BABCOCK - babcock4@comcast.net
Organizes parent carpool for team practices. Has done an incredible job for several seasons already!

Rower Spotlight: VIJAYA PRISSAPRAGADA - p_vijaya76@yahoo.com
Prepare team spotlight features for social media and newsletters. This is a new one, we are looking forward to a more personalized highlight of our team members! Thanks Vijaya!

Fundraising: THERESA FRIEDMAN AND MEG JOY
theresadfriedman@gmail.com and megjoy@comcast.net
Oversees several fundraisers for the team, including annual Blue Jean Ball.
We need a new chairperson, however, you will have a lot of support from our previous chair, Jen Grobe, as well as others who have helped in the past. Jen has done an incredible job for us in the past and we are so thankful!
COVID Safety Plan

Please read our COVID Safety Guidelines HERE.
Or you can download the PDF HERE
Email Updates
Would you like an additional email to receive our newsletter or would you like to unsubscribe? Email Robin at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Questions about GV Crew? Contact John Brewer at gvcrewpd@gmail.com
For additions to the newsletter: Email Robin Brewer at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Great Valley Community Organization
Fall Football:

Flag for grades K-1
Tackle for grades 2-6

Register now!
The Great Valley Football League is an instructional youth football league for kids in grades K-6. The purpose of the program is to create a fun experience for the kids, playing and learning the game of football while competing with their peers from the surrounding communities. We pride ourselves on creating a strong sense of community among our volunteers, parents and athletes throughout our season and beyond. We are looking forward to another season of football and cheer!

Please note, the early bird discount for tackle ends on April 14th at 5PM.
GVCO Carings Hands Works With the Local Business Community To Provide Support
 
This past month our student led GVCO Caring Hands group teamed up with a local business to provide support to our local senior community. Stong Plumbing and Heating in Malvern stepped up and donated $500 to our 501(c)3 non-profit GVCO organization, a contribution dedicated to directly support seniors in our district. GVCO Caring Hands promptly matched that gift and continues to provide it's financial commitment to supporting those in need right here in our community.

Thank you Stong Plumbing and Heating for partnering with our GVCO Caring Hands. Once again an example of how our district's generous business community, along with our Great Valley Community Organization, partnered for the greater good here at home.
Great Valley Basketball League
March Madness has begun for GVBL!! 
 
Our annual double elimination playoffs are in full swing and there is some tremendous basketball being played at our temporary home at the Phelps Athletic Center. 
 
To follow all the action go to the basketball section of our GVCO website at GVBL News and Updates
GVCO Project Update
The Spring Thaw Has Finally Begun!

As we move into March, the snow begins to melt, things begin to to turn green and (with luck) the ground begins to dry out. The hope is that GVCO will be "putting a shovel in the ground" in the coming weeks getting the new GVCO Commuity Center project started.
 
Also beginning in March, there will be a concerted effort with our capital campaign; renewing our efforts to get us over the hump with the necessary fundraising allowing us the ability to obtain the financing critical to complete the project.
 
Go to https://www.gvco.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1329444 to learn the entire picture where we are and what it is going to take to make this facility happen.
See the Future GVCO Community Center
We need your help to finish what we've started! We will not get the necessary financing to complete the project without raising additional funds.

DONATE NOW to finalize the building of our brand new GVCO Community Center!

The time is NOW.... Together we can make it happen!
GVCO Sponsor
GVCO Give Back Days at the Desmond Hotel - 3/3 - 3/6
Place an order with the Curbside Market or the Fox and Hounds Restaurant and The Desmond will give back 10% to GVCO!

Curbside Market Orders:

Restaurant Dine In or Take Out Orders:
Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!

List of companies with corporate matching gift programs. Please check your company policy.
CONNECT WITH US
Great Valley Crew